Page 48 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“He’s just getting his things together. He likes to do a double check to make sure he has everything,” Bella supplied.

Nash didn’t know what to say, so he remained silent. The awkwardness of the four of them standing there, all eyes on him but Bella’s, made his skin itch.

His jaw tensed. “I know this wasn’t what anyone planned, but I want you to know I’m not going anywhere. I’ll take care of your daughter and the baby.”

The lines of Tomas’s tan skin eased as some of the tension seeped from his shoulders. “I appreciate you saying that.”

“If he wanted what was best for them, he would leave them alone. Leave this town. You know what they say about him. He’s a—“

“Enough, Mama.” Isabella cut her mother off in English before switching to Spanish. “You will not speak about the father of my child that way.”

Her defense of him, though undeserved, brought a tightness to his chest that was uncomfortable. Maybe they would be better off without him. Maybe I should go.

Chaos erupted in his body at the thought. Never. Maybe it made him selfish, and the exact kind of monster Catherine accused him of, but he couldn’t abandon his child—even if it might be the right thing to do.

The front door opened and Eli came out with his bag in hand and a blanket rolled under his arm. His attentive gaze roamed over the adults before he smiled. “Nash!”

“Hey, bud. Looks like you have a fun night ahead.”

Eli walked closer. “Yeah. I’m going to spend the night at my abuela and abuelo’s every Friday night. And then Abuelo will take me fishing on Saturday.”

“As long as the weather is good,” Tomas added.

Eli’s mouth straightened. “But it will be good tomorrow. I checked the weather and it said only ten percent chance of rain.”

Tomas chuckled. “Looks good, then.”

Eli’s part-smile returned. “When are we going out on your boat again, Nash?”

“I’ll talk about it with your mom today, okay?”

“You can’t be serious. Tell me you have no intention of this man taking your son on the open sea?” Catherine asked her daughter in Spanish.

“Lo mantendré a salvo. Promesa,” Nash replied. I’ll keep him safe. Promise.

Catherine’s eyes widened, no doubt in shock that this monster could understand everything she said.

“Well, looks like you’re ready to go. Can I have a hug, Eli?” Bella asked briskly.

“Okay.”

She wrapped her son in her arms, squeezing him tight and then releasing him. “Have fun, and don’t stay up too late.”

“We won’t spoil him too much.” Her father smiled, his eyes on his daughter with affection as he pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. “See you next week, Nash.”

Nash nodded.

Catherine spun around and headed for the passenger side of the SUV, waiting for Tomas to open the door for her before she climbed in.

Bella waved as they drove off. As soon as their car disappeared down the road, she released a sigh. She turned to Nash. “I’m sorry for my mom. She’s . . . just concerned.”

He grunted. Bella had probably heard all the rumors and gossip about him from Catherine as soon as she’d found out he was the father. Did she see him as a monster too? Did she regret that night was with him?

“Nash?” Bella asked, studying him.

“Yeah?”

“Did you want to come inside to talk?”

---